CVE-2025-58899: Ancorathemes Frame Path Traversal Flaw

CVE-2025-58899 Overview

CVE-2025-58899 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the AncoraThemes Frame WordPress theme. This vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters used in PHP include/require statements, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths and include arbitrary local files from the server.

The vulnerability is classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program), which describes scenarios where user-controlled input is used to construct file paths for PHP's include or require functions without proper validation.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation could allow unauthenticated remote attackers to read sensitive configuration files, access credentials, or potentially achieve remote code execution through log poisoning or other LFI-to-RCE techniques.

Affected Products

• AncoraThemes Frame WordPress Theme versions up to and including 2.4.0

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-12-18 - CVE-2025-58899 published to NVD
• 2026-01-20 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-58899

Vulnerability Analysis

This Local File Inclusion vulnerability exists due to insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input that is subsequently used in PHP include or require statements within the AncoraThemes Frame theme. When a web application dynamically includes files based on user input without proper validation, attackers can manipulate these parameters to traverse directories and include arbitrary files from the local file system.

The network-accessible nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it remotely without requiring any prior authentication. However, successful exploitation requires specific conditions to be met, adding complexity to attack scenarios. If exploited, the vulnerability could compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected WordPress installation.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-58899 lies in the improper handling of user-controlled input within the Frame theme's PHP code. When file inclusion functions like include(), require(), include_once(), or require_once() receive unsanitized user input, attackers can inject path traversal sequences (such as ../) or specify arbitrary file paths to include files outside the intended directory scope.

This typically occurs when developers fail to implement proper input validation, sanitization, or whitelisting of allowed file paths before passing user-controlled data to file inclusion functions.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, meaning attackers can exploit it remotely through HTTP requests to the vulnerable WordPress site. The exploitation involves manipulating GET or POST parameters that are used by the Frame theme to include PHP files dynamically.

An attacker could craft malicious requests containing path traversal sequences to read sensitive files such as /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or other configuration files containing database credentials and authentication keys. In more advanced scenarios, attackers could combine this LFI with log file poisoning or other techniques to achieve remote code execution.

For technical details and the full vulnerability report, see the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-58899

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences (../, ..%2f, ....//) in parameters targeting theme files
• Web server access logs showing requests attempting to access sensitive system files like /etc/passwd or wp-config.php
• Unexpected file access patterns in PHP error logs indicating attempts to include files outside normal theme directories
• Evidence of log file modifications that could indicate log poisoning attempts

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in request parameters
• Configure PHP open_basedir restrictions and monitor for attempted violations in error logs
• Deploy file integrity monitoring on sensitive configuration files to detect unauthorized access
• Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for common LFI attack patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on web servers to capture full request URIs and parameters
• Monitor WordPress debug logs for unexpected file inclusion errors or warnings
• Implement real-time alerting for requests containing known path traversal sequences
• Review server access logs regularly for reconnaissance activity targeting theme endpoints

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-58899

Immediate Actions Required

• Identify all WordPress installations using the AncoraThemes Frame theme version 2.4.0 or earlier
• Temporarily disable the Frame theme if a patched version is not yet available, switching to a secure alternative
• Implement WAF rules to block path traversal attempts targeting your WordPress installation
• Review web server logs for evidence of exploitation attempts

Patch Information

At the time of publication, administrators should check the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report for the latest patch information and updated versions from AncoraThemes. Contact the theme vendor directly for guidance on obtaining a patched release.

Workarounds

• Configure PHP open_basedir directive to restrict file access to the WordPress installation directory only
• Implement ModSecurity or similar WAF with OWASP Core Rule Set to block path traversal attacks
• Use .htaccess rules to block requests containing suspicious path traversal patterns
• Restrict file permissions on sensitive configuration files to prevent unauthorized read access

# Example .htaccess rule to block path traversal attempts
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.\\) [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\.%2f|\.\.%5c) [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F,L]

# PHP configuration to restrict file access (add to php.ini or .user.ini)
# open_basedir = /var/www/html/wordpress/